Jessica sat in Hufflepuff common room, surrounded by a few older students who were helping her practice charms while working on their own homework.


    “Jessica, I heard you had a nightmare earlier?” Hannah entered, carrying a packet of cookies. She handed it to Jessica with a kind smile. “Here - have some chocolate cookies. You’ll feel better after a nice snack.”


    “Thanks,” Jessica replied softly. She nibbled on one of the cookies, then slipped the rest into her bag, which was already stuffed with an assortment of snacks other students had offered upon hearing her nightmare.


    Hannah wrapped her in a warm hug. “Poor thing, you still look so pale. It must’ve been an awful nightmare.”


    “It was,” Jessica admitted, her voice low. She forced a faint smile. “But don’t worry, I can handle it... I just need more time to get through it.”


    “We’re here for you,” Emily reassured her cheerfully. “Nothing’s going to harm you with all of us around.”


    “Thank you,” Jessica murmured, her gratitude genuine. She had been overwhelmed by the kindness of the Hufflepuff students ever since Scarlet asked them to keep her company. Their support reminded her of life in the orphanage, surrounded by brothers and sisters who cared for one another.


    “What exactly did you dream about?” asked Zacharias Smith, the boy Scarlet had mentally noted as someone to watch. His tone was more curious than concerned.


    Jessica hesitated before answering softly, “I... I’d rather not talk about it.”


    If Alexis was right – that her dream involved a vision of the future - it would be wiser to remain silent unless Scarlet advised otherwise. Scarlet had instructed her to keep quiet, warning her that being identified as a Seer could thrust her into dangerous political struggles she wasn’t ready for. Moreover, Jessica worried people might not believe her and that she’d be labelled a liar and shunned. Thankfully, everyone in the common room seemed understanding and didn’t press her further – except for Zacharias.


    “Well, if you can’t tell us what your dream was, how do we know you’re not lying?” he asked with a smirk.


    Jessica frowned. “Why would I lie about that?”


    “Who knows? Maybe you just like the attention,” Zacharias replied, raising his chin smugly. “Like now, for instance.”


    Jessica’s eyes reddened as she glared at him. “Are you saying I’m lying about having bad dreams just to get attention?”


    Zacharias shrugged. “If you won’t say what you dreamed about, people might wonder. It’s only natural.”


    “I’m not seeking attention!” Jessica exclaimed, her voice breaking as tears welled in her eyes. “How you could say that? I’ve dreamed about a--”


    No, I can’t say it! I can’t let Scarlet down... Jessica nearly bit her tongue to stop herself, holding back the torrent of emotions threatening to burst forth.


    The terrifying image of a roaring Chimaera flashed in her mind. She felt as if she were suffocating, the phantom sensation of being forced to swallow a foul liquid making her gag even though she hadn’t drunk anything. Her face turned ashen, her hands trembled, and she began to shiver uncontrollably.


    Emily cried out, rushing forward to catch Jessica just as her legs gave way. The little girl collapsed into her arms, her entire body shaking.


    “Jessica! Jessica!” Hannah panicked, patting Jessica’s shoulder as her voice rose in alarm. “She’s panicking - she’s having a seizure! Merlin, what should we do?!”


    “Lie her down! Quickly, clear some space!” Jonathan commanded, his prefect training kicking in. “Turned her on her side! Someone gets help if this doesn’t stop!”


    The common room burst into action as Emily carefully laid Jessica on the couch. She called out urgently, “Is there any Hospital Wing intern here? Someone calls an intern or Madame Pomfrey!”


    All eyes darted around, a few of them narrowing in pointed glares at Zacharias. The boy crossed his arms, his lips twitching in irritation, clearly unwilling to take responsibility for the situation.


    Just as confusion overtook the room, and some decided to run and fetch the Matron, a voice cut through the commotion – clear, calm, and authoritative. “What’s going on?”


    “Scarlet!” Hannah exclaimed, relief washing over her face. She hurried to explain, “Jessica’s having a seizure! What should we do?”


    “Jessica?” Scarlet frowned as she quickly moved to Jessica’s side. Placing a hand gently on Jessica’s forehead, she muttered, “She’s been healthy for years and had never shown signs of seizures. What was she doing just now?”


    “She was just sitting here...” Hannah hesitated, glancing at Zacharias who was edging towards the door. She continued with some urgency, “... arguing with Zacharias. He accused her of lying about her nightmares to get attention.”


    “She did not lie.” Without wasting another moment, Scarlet drew a few runes in the air above Jessica’s forehead. Instantly, Jessica’s trembling ceased, her body falling still as she slipped into a deep, magical sleep. Scarlet then retrieved a blindfold from her robes and gently placed it over Jessica’s eyes. “She has always had strange dreams, even before Hogwarts. I gave her a charmed dreamcatcher to block them and ensure a proper night’s rest. But she’s had these nightmares again earlier, the dreamcatcher must have lost its magic.”


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Jessica’s roommate, Mariette, gasped. “You mean the dreamcatcher she hangs on her headboard? She takes such good care of it - keeps it dust-free every single day!”


    Scarlet nodded. Rising to her feet, she addressed the room, her tone steady and reassuring. “It’s alright now. I’ve put her to sleep with a stronger charm, and this blindfold will ensure she’s dreamless tonight. Jessica will be fine by morning.”


    A collective sigh of relief echoed through the common room. Slowly, students began returning to their dorms or resuming their activities. Emily still cradling Jessica in her arms, carefully carried her back to bed.


    Scarlet, visibly drained, retired to her own room earlier than usual. Whispers swirled among the student, their eyes lingering on the exquisite blindfold Jessica now wore. Embroidered with shimmering golden red thread, it glowed faintly under the light, as though touched by fairy dust. It was unmistakably a custom-crafted, powerfully enchanted item, undoubtedly Scarlet’s work.


    Zacharias huffed impatiently, but as he turned to leave, Cedric’s calm voice stopped him in his tracks. “Zacharias, I suggest you apologise to Jessica once she wakes up.”


    “Apologise?” Zacharias raised an eyebrow, his tone sceptical. But as he looked around, the disapproving glares from the other left him little choice.


    “You accused her unfairly,” Cedric stated, his voice measured but firm. “She wasn’t lying, she wasn’t seeking attention, and she clearly needed help. It’s only right to apologise when you’ve wronged someone.”


    Zacharias pressed his lips into thin line before muttering reluctantly, “Fine, I’ll apologise. Alright? Can I go now?”


    As the others made way, Zacharias strode off toward the boys’ dormitory, irritation clear in his every step.


    Cedric sighed faintly, silently resolving to keep a closer eye on Zacharias in the future.


    Meanwhile, Alexis lay sprawled on the floor of the empty dance studio, looking completely lifeless. George crouching beside her, bending down to poke her cheek. “Oi, Are-chan, you alive in there?”


    Fred stood a few steps away scanning the room. Everything looked as it always did – nothing out of place, no signs of a fight or spell misfire. He folded his arms thoughtfully; they came here after passing through Scarlet’s and noticed the spear-wielding girl was missing during her usual training hour. He made a guess and asked with a smirk, “Did Scarlet beat you up - I mean, ‘train’ you with her spear just now?” The memory of Scarlet’s lecture came to mind, along with the bruises he and his twin brother had once earned during a similar session.


    “Nooo...” Alexis groaned, her voice raspy and worn, catching the Weasley twins by surprise. “I was just singing nonstop for hours... And I didn’t have dinner! I’m literally starving...”


    George blinked, then reached into his pocket to offer her a rice ball he’d saved as a midnight snack. His eyes widened as Alexis practically inhaled it in a few bites, her jaw stretching dramatically.


    “That was... a thing to behold,” he mumbled, watching her swallow.


    Obviously, one rice ball wasn’t enough for a ravenous teenage girl. Fred wordlessly handed her his rice ball, which she devoured with equal enthusiasm, leaving both twins staring at her in amazement.


    Finally fuelled, Alexis sat up with a small sigh of relief. “Thanks, you two totally saved my life, bro. Where can I get more of these?”


    George scratched his chin, nodding thoughtfully. “We’ll swing by the kitchens after this, but first - care to explain what’s going on?”


    Fred joined this twin on the floor, curiosity shining in his eyes. “We’ve pulled all-nighters plenty of times – sometimes two days straight with, four hours of sleep tops – and you were always fine. But just one evening with Scarlet and you look, well... dead!”


    “Yeah, we’re definitely curious about what went down in the last few hours,” George said, giving Alexis a once over. “No bruises, though - that’s a good sign.”


    Alexis groaned, standing up on shaky legs. “Okay, remember when I told you about Scarlets whole thing with her magic and traits a wizard had?”


    The twins nodded.


    “Well, Jessica was having these nightmares or whatever, it’s her traits, but kinda tricky for her to handle it now, so Sensei decided it was time to upgrade her dream-blocking thingy – something to make her sleep without, you know, dreaming or remembering anything,” Alexis explained, brushing crumbs off her skirt. “And since it was apparently the ‘perfect timing’, Sensei thought it’d be fun to push me a little.”


    “Push you? How?” the twins asked simultaneously, exchanging confused glances.


    “By testing out, like bajillion different songs and singing techniques,” Alexis muttered, looking utterly unimpressed. “Singing, like... chanting charms, y’know? Like how we use a wand.”


    Fred raised an eyebrow, sceptical. “Singing isn’t the same as casting spells.”


    “Yeah,” George chimed in, frowning. “And it’s definitely not like using a wand.”


    Alexis huffed dramatically, gesturing like she was presenting a grand revelation. “Um, hello! My wand literally turned into a microphone last time, remember? So, obviously, I’m meant to cast magic by singing or whatever. I just, like, haven’t cracked the secret sauce yet.”


    With that, she threw open her door and waltzed out, waving for the twins to lead the way. “Now, let’s hit up the kitchen before I die hunger, k?”


    “Sure,” Fred led the way while Alexis trailing slightly behind with George at her side, “So, did you manage to help Scarlet with the dream-blocking thingy?”


    “Not really...” Alexis admitted, her stomach growling loudly. She placed a hand over it, her expression weary. “I mean, I kinda sent, like strong, pure wishes or whatever? Sensei said that was, like, good enough for a first-timer. Honestly, I have no idea if she was just trying to make me feel better or if I actually helped. It felt like most of my magic just – poof – dispersed into thin air. But anyway, I drained my magic, which is why you found me looking so totally done.”


    They arrived at the kitchen, where a handful of Hufflepuffs were already gathered, placing orders. Within seconds, Alexis had her hands on some palm-sized minced pies. She devoured three of them like a starving wolf, her stomach finally beginning to settle. It took another three pies to satisfy her completely.


    While Alexis focused on eating, Fred and George struck up a light conversation with the Hufflepuffs. When they returned with a pie each, they shared the snippets they’d picked up.


    “Jessica had a seizure.”


    “Probably because of the nightmare you mentioned.”


    “How bad do you think a nightmare had to be to scare someone into having a seizure just by remembering it?”


    The twins’ gazes turned pointed as they directed their questions toward Alexis, who avoided their eyes by turning her head. She clearly wasn’t ready to talk about it.


    Before they parted ways for the night, Alexis offered them a sliver of insight.


    “You’ll find out when Sensei thinks it’s the right time to spill,” she said, her tone more subdued. “For now, it’s too early to, like, jump to conclusions. She’s just focused on making sure Jessica gets a good night sleep. Let’s see how things go tomorrow. Night, boys.”


    “Goodnight,” the twins replied, exchanging a glance before shrugging. With nothing more to do, they headed off to bed.